Spurs controlled 58% of the ball and edged shots, but Bournemouth made their chances count with deadly efficiency.
Mathys Tel opened for Spurs, Evanilson and Eli Junior Kroupi responded to give Bournemouth a halftime lead, with João Palhinha pulling Spurs level in the second half.
Antoine Semenyo’s sensational late strike sealed a thrilling 3‑2 victory for Bournemouth in a truly breathless Premier League clash.
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AFC Bournemouth Vs Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings: Semenyo Seals Bournemouth’s Dramatic 3-2 Win Over Spurs

Summary
A truly breathless Premier League encounter unfolded at the Vitality Stadium as AFC Bournemouth hosted Tottenham Hotspur in Round 21. A game that delivered drama, momentum swings, and brilliant displays from the players. Tottenham enjoyed 58 % possession compared to Bournemouth’s 42 %, highlighting Spurs’ control of the ball for much of the night. Spurs also edged the shots count, but Bournemouth converted their chances in front of goal, finishing with a clinical edge that ultimately decided the contest.
Spurs looked to take control early and struck first through Mathys Tel, but the Cherries showed incredible character.
Evanilson put Bournemouth back on level terms with a towering header, and just before the break, Eli Junior Kroupi turned the game in the home side’s favour. Tottenham responded in the second half with João Palhinha’s equaliser, setting up a dramatic finale. In stoppage time, Antoine Semenyo produced a moment of magic, firing home a sensational winner to secure a memorable 3‑2 victory for Bournemouth.
Sportsdunia brings you the detailed AFC Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings from this unforgettable Premier League showdown.
Key Takeaways of the Game
- Bournemouth secured the win with a late goal, turning around the game after Tottenham had taken the lead.
- Tottenham dominated possession but couldn’t control the game: Spurs held around 58% possession, yet Bournemouth were more efficient at key moments and found the crucial goals.
- The expected goals and total shots were competitive, reflecting a close match despite the final scoreline.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Score | AFC Bournemouth 3–2 Tottenham Hotspur |
| Competition | Premier League (EPL) |
| Date / Time | 7 January 2026 |
| MOTM (Player of the Match) | Antoine Semenyo – 8/10 |
| Best Performer (Bournemouth) | Antoine Semenyo – 8/10 |
| Best Performer (Tottenham) | Mathys Tel – 8.5/10 |
| Worst Performer (Bournemouth) | Álex Jiménez – 5.5/10 |
| Worst Performer (Tottenham) | Randal Kolo Muani – 5/10 |
Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings vs AFC Bournemouth
Here's a look at Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings in the EPL clash.
Goalkeeper
Guglielmo Vicario - 5.5: A difficult day at the office for the Italian keeper. Conceding three goals is never a good look, and while he wasn't directly at fault for all of them, he didn't command his area with his usual authority. He made one good high claim but lost possession 13 times, which put his team under unnecessary pressure. From our perspective, he needed to be more decisive on a day when his defence was clearly struggling. A performance he'll want to move on from quickly.
Defenders
Cristian Romero - 8.0: What can you say? The man was an absolute colossus, a warrior in a losing effort. Winning an astonishing 21 of 23 duels, including 12 aerial battles, is just insane. He made 7 tackles and 6 clearances and even created three chances at the other end. He wore the captain's armband and played like it, leaving everything on the pitch. It's a shame the rest of the defence couldn't match his level. He was let down by his teammates.
Pedro Porro - 6.0: An average performance from the Spaniard. He tried to get forward and support the attack, but his final ball was often lacking, completing just one of four crosses. Defensively, he was caught out a couple of times and his frustration showed with a needless yellow card. He won his two tackles but was also dribbled past, which isn't ideal for a fullback in a game this open.
Djed Spence - 6.0: A really mixed bag from Spence. He showed flashes of his physical prowess, winning 8 of 11 duels which is impressive. However, he was also quite careless, losing the ball 13 times and committing an error that led directly to a shot. From our viewpoint, there's potential there, but the raw edges in his game were exposed today. He needs more consistency to hold down a starting spot.
Micky van de Ven - 6.5: His blistering pace was on display, and he used it well to win a crucial penalty for his side. He was comfortable on the ball, completing both of his dribble attempts. But as part of a backline that shipped three goals, he can't be rated too highly. He also missed a big chance that could have changed the complexion of the game. A decent outing, but ultimately part of a failing unit.
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Midfielders
João Palhinha - 7.5: A classic Palhinha performance. He was a wrecking ball in midfield, drawing five fouls and disrupting Bournemouth's rhythm. What stood out to us was his goal - a poacher's finish to drag his team level at 2-2, showing his value in the opposition box as well. He did his job effectively, providing the steel that Spurs desperately needed in the middle of the park.
Xavi Simons - 7.0: A bright start for the youngster, setting up the opening goal for Tel with a clever pass. He was neat and tidy in possession, with an 87% pass accuracy. However, he seemed to fade out of the game as Bournemouth grew in confidence. We wanted to see him demand the ball more in the second half, but he struggled to impose himself. Still a promising talent.
Mathys Tel - 8.5: Undoubtedly Tottenham's best player and our highest-rated player on the pitch. He was electric. He scored a well-taken goal, created three chances including one big chance, and completed five dribbles. He was a constant thorn in Bournemouth's side, and it felt like something happened every time he got the ball. He absolutely did not deserve to be on the losing team today. A stunning individual display.
Lucas Bergvall - 5.5: A tough day for the young Swede, who was hooked before the hour mark after picking up an injury. He had a couple of shots but struggled to make a real impact on the game, losing possession 14 times from just 28 touches. He looked a bit overwhelmed by the physicality of the match and committed three fouls out of frustration.
Rodrigo Bentancur - 6.5: A very solid and reliable performance before he was forced off with an injury. He was perfect in the tackle, winning all five that he attempted. He kept possession ticking over nicely for Spurs in the engine room. He didn't offer a huge amount going forward, but he provided a steady base in midfield that his team missed after he left.
Forwards
Randal Kolo Muani - 5.0: A really poor outing for the striker. He was completely anonymous, winning just one of his twelve duels. He looked isolated, frustrated, and off the pace, eventually getting substituted after picking up a yellow card. For a player of his quality, this was a performance to forget. He offered next to nothing for his team.
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Substitutes
Wilson Odobert - 6.5: Came on for the injured Bergvall and looked lively. He immediately tried to make things happen.
Richarlison - 6.0: Unlucky to hit the post with a header. Offered a different kind of threat but couldn't find the breakthrough.
Archie Gray - N/A: Came on too late to have any meaningful impact on the match.
Manager
T. Frank - 6.0: His team showed flashes of attacking brilliance, but the defensive frailties were alarming. To concede three goals and lose the game in stoppage time after fighting back to 2-2 will be a bitter pill to swallow. His substitutions were logical but ultimately couldn't paper over the cracks in his team's defensive structure.
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AFC Bournemouth Player Ratings vs Tottenham Hotspur
Let's delve deep into the AFC Bournemouth Player Ratings.
Goalkeeper
Djordje Petrovic - 6.5: He conceded two goals, but there wasn't much he could do about either. He made two important saves, including one from inside the box, and commanded his area well with a good high claim and a punch. His distribution was a bit shaky, with a pass accuracy of only 40%, but his primary job is to stop shots, and he did that reasonably well.
Defenders
Adrien Truffert - 6.0: It was a very busy evening for him against the livewire Mathys Tel. He stuck to his task, winning 9 of his 16 duels and making five tackles. However, he also lost possession 17 times and was sometimes caught out of position. A battling performance, but one where he was stretched to his limits.
Marcos Senesi - 7.5: A commanding performance from the centre-back. He was a rock at the back, making a massive 10 clearances and chipping in with crucial tackles and interceptions. What elevates his rating is the brilliant assist for Kroupi's goal, showing his quality on the ball. He was a true leader for the Cherries today.
Álex Jiménez - 5.5: He really struggled to cope with Tottenham's attacks down his flank. He was dribbled past twice, committed three fouls, and picked up a yellow card for his troubles. He was bailed out by his centre-backs on a few occasions and it was no surprise to see him substituted late on. A learning experience for the defender.
James Hill - 6.0: A game of redemption for Hill. He was aerially dominant, winning 7 of 9 aerial duels, and made 8 important clearances. However, he had a moment of madness, conceding a penalty that could have cost his team dearly. That rash challenge blots his copybook, but his overall defensive contribution was otherwise solid.
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Midfielders
Lewis Cook - 6.5: The captain led by example with a gritty performance. He put in a real shift, breaking up play with tackles and interceptions. He did get a yellow card for a cynical foul, but it was a necessary one at the time. He provided the bite and experience Bournemouth needed in the midfield battle.
Alex Scott - 7.0: What stood out to us was his incredible engine. He was everywhere, recovering the ball 9 times and constantly hassling the Spurs midfield. He drew four fouls, highlighting how much of a nuisance he was to play against. An all-action display that was crucial to his team's success.
Marcus Tavernier - 7.0: Provided a moment of real quality with a superb cross for Evanilson's equalizer. He was a creative force for Bournemouth, always looking to make things happen in the final third. His delivery from set-pieces and open play caused problems for Spurs before he was substituted.
Eli Kroupi - 7.5: Scored a fantastic goal to put his team 2-1 up, showing great composure to finish from close range. He took his goal like a seasoned pro. He was a livewire until he was substituted, linking up play well and getting into dangerous positions. A very effective performance.
Antoine Semenyo - 8.0: The match-winner. The hero. He was a menace throughout the game with his power and direct running, but his final contribution was pure magic. To have the composure and technique to score that goal so late in the game was incredible. He earned his team the three points and rightly takes the plaudits.
Forwards
Evanilson - 7.0: Led the line well and got his reward with a crucial headed goal to bring his team back into the game. He was a physical presence that occupied the Spurs centre-backs throughout his time on the pitch. He was caught offside a few times, but that just shows his intent to get in behind. A very good shift.
Substitutes
David Brooks - 7.5: A game-changing substitution. He came on and provided the assist for Semenyo's stunning winner. A moment of quality that decided the match.
Enes Ünal - 6.5: Looked busy and had a shot blocked. Added fresh legs to the attack.
Bafodé Diakité - N/A: Came on late to help see out the win.
Amine Adli - N/A: Brought on for the final few minutes.
Veljko Milosavljevic - N/A: A stoppage-time sub to waste time.
Manager
A. Iraola - 8.0: A tactical masterclass in resilience from his side. His team showed unbelievable heart and fight. They never gave up, even after going behind early and being pegged back late on. His substitutions were perfect, with David Brooks coming on to provide the winning assist. He deserves immense credit for instilling that belief in his squad.
Player of the Match
Sportsdunia's Player of the Match: Antoine Semenyo
Worst Performer
The player with the lowest performance in the AFC Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings was Randal Kolo Muani.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of AFC Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur?+
AFC Bournemouth won the thrilling match 3-2 against Tottenham Hotspur at the Vitality Stadium.
When was AFC Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur?+
The match between AFC Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur took place on January 7, 2026.
Who was the man of the match in AFC Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur?+
Antoine Semenyo was the man of the match for his incredible stoppage-time winning goal.
Who was the worst performer in AFC Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur?+
Randal Kolo Muani of Tottenham Hotspur had a very difficult game, struggling to make an impact.
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